WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance endorsed GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney this afternoon, becoming the first member of the Garden State’s congressional delegation to publicly support the former Massachusetts governor’s candidacy.

Lance, R-Clinton Township, endorsed Romney also in 2008, when he lost the GOP presidential nomination to Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Lance’s office said the Romney campaign didn’t seek the endorsement and the congressman decided to announce his support after meeting with Romney in Washington today.

“Mitt is a solid fiscal conservative who is committed to lower taxes, less spending and lower debt and deficits,” Lance said in a statement. “He is the one candidate with the leadership experience and a record of achievement to help fix our country’s struggling economy.”